Rick Vittone of Tecumseh, Ontario came back in style after losing his first match in the finals to defeat Albert Amella III of Macomb 469-466 in the two-game match, winning the MDUSBC Senior Masters title at Thunderbowl Lanes in Allen Park and taking home the top prize of $3,000.

After qualifying 15th with a six-game total of 1,371, Vittone remained in the winner’s bracket with triumphs over Thomas Byrd of Clinton Township 472-436, Jim Lauricella of Sterling Heights 445-421, Edward Flowers of West Bloomfield 466-393, Ernest Segura Jr. of Taylor 414-389 and Amella the first time 441-416. Once Amella advanced out of the loser’s bracket he beat Vittone 472-456 setting up the championship match.

In the championship match Amella surged out to an 89-pin lead over Vittone after one game 279-190. Vittone began the last game with the first nine strikes, while Amella was going at a 200 pace. When Vittone failed to strike in the tenth frame he finished with 279. This forced Amella to throw two strikes in the tenth frame. Amella got the first strike, but couldn’t get the second making Vittone the winner.

Vittone averaged 226.7 for 20 games of competition.

“I can’t believe it. Being that far down I just kept throwing strikes.” said Vittone. “I didn’t even realize I’d won until I was adding up the scores on the recap sheet.”

Amella qualified 24th with 1,346. In match play he remained undefeated with victories over defending champion Richard Planko of Novi 426-375, Harold Sullins of Chesterfield 514-403, Gary Pawlak of Flat Rock 482-468 and Leonard Cianciolo of Warren 462-445 before falling to Vittone 441-416. In the loser’s bracket he knocked Paul Kwiecien of Lansing out of the competition 477-472 with an exciting finish to set up the rematch with Vittone. He beat Vittone 472-456, but came up short in the final match 469-466. Amella settled for $1,500.

Kwiecien qualified 30th with 1,328. In match play he beat Mike Lee of Dearborn Heights 424-392 and Tony Stipcak of Redford 472-455 before falling to Ernest Segura Jr. 473-443. In the loser’s bracket he rebounded with wins over Harold Sullins 478-449, Edward Flowers 393-370 and Leonard Cianciolo 524-369 before avenging his loss to Segura 444-393 and finally getting knocked out by Amella 477-472. Kwiecien averaged 226.2 and cashed for $1,000.

Segura qualified 27th with 1,339 and remained in the winner’s bracket with victories over David Tulak of Taylor 448-386, Gerald Johnson of Riverview 480-479 and Kwiecien 473-443 before falling into the loser’s bracket with a loss to Vittone 414-389. In the loser’s bracket he beat Richard Wayne of Westland 502-394 before getting knocked out by Kwiecien 444-393. He averaged 223.6 and took home $750.

Cianciolo finished fifth for $500 and averaged 223.9.

Wayne ended up sixth, picking up $500 after averaging 222.7.

Lee finished seventh, averaged 222.8 and cashed for $400.

Flowers took home $400 for his eighth place finish, averaging 207.1.

Roy Sonier of Southgate won the Super Senior competition for non-qualifiers 60 years of age and over. He defeated Edwin Austreng of Waterford Township 239-204 for the title. He won $200 for his efforts and Austreng walked away with a check for $175.

The MDUSBC Senior Masters Tournament is an USBC certified event operated by the Metro Detroit USBC Association, the largest local association of the United States Bowling Congress with more than 60,000 members.